graphic by Michelle Butzgy/Paraglide

Acting early when someone has any disease or illness is always a positive step. Autism spectrum disorders aren’t any different. In a report covering 11 states over two years, the average of finding children with autism has risen to one in every 110 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The same report also shows the average age at which children are diagnosed with an ASD is 4-and-a-half years old. This is why the CDC and the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities has developed the “Learn the Signs. Act Early,” campaign.

Autism affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others, usually starting within the first three years of a child’s life.

Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.

Some of the symptoms are:

• Not responding to their name by 12 months.

• Not pointing at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months.

• Not playing “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll) by 18 months.

• Avoiding eye contact and want to be alone.

• Having trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings.

• Having delayed speech and language skills.

• Repeating words or phrases over and over (echolalia).

• Giving unrelated answers to questions.

• Getting upset by minor changes.

• Having obsessive interests.

• Flapping their hands, rocking their body, or spinning in circles.

• Having unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.

• The earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches to treatment and education.

“(Fort Bragg’s Exceptional Family Member Program) works tirelessly with our Families who have autism,” said Rachel Kiwaha, EFMP specialist. “In 2008 and 2009, the EFMP conducted an autism awareness seminar that provided approximately 250 Families with the opportunity to hear professionals speak about the different aspects of autism. There were more than 20 local service agencies to provide additional information.”

EFMP also accompanies Families who have a child diagnosed with autism to individualized education planning meetings to serve as advocates on behalf of the child, should the child require an advocate, said Kihawa. For more information, call 907-3395.

The CDC has developed a Web site with developmental milestones to look for in a child ages 3 months to 5 years. Babies develop at their own pace so this partial list given below will provide parents with a general idea of changes to expect. Do not be alarmed if your own baby’s development is slightly different.

3 months

• Begins to develop a social smile.

• Raises head and chest when lying on stomach.

• Watches faces intently.

• Smiles at the sound of your voice.

7 months
• Enjoys social play.

• Tranfers object from hand to hand.

• Ability to track moving objects improves.

• Responds to own name.

1 year
• Enjoys imitating people in his play.

• Bangs two objects together.

• Responds to simple verbal requests.

2 years
• Walks alone.

• Points to object or picture when it’s named for him.

•Begins make-believe play.

3 years
• Climbs well.

• Sorts objects by shape and color.
• Uses 4 to 5-word sentences.

4 years
• Goes upstairs and downstairs without support.

• Draws circles and squares.

• Cooperates with other children.

5 years
• Says name and address.

• Can count 10 or more objects.

• Likes to sing, dance and act.

You can find a complete list of milestones at www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html.

If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or you think there may be a problem with the way your child plays, learns or interacts with others, talk to your primary care physician. Don’t wait. For additional information, visit www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/concerned.html.